1 John 4:1-6 (Two Spirits)

Chapter 4

Verses 1-6:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

This beginning of chapter 4 has a lot of parallels with chapter 2 verses 15-23. It could be useful to break down this section of this chapter into four seperate parts. The first thing to consider is that the apostle gives a warning to the faithful that he has given before in chapter 2, warning them of "many false prophets" that "have gone out into the world," in order to preach a false gospel and serve their own errors (v.1b, 3b) Secondly he prescribes how they are to beware, by "test[ing] the spirits" in order to make a distinction between a spirit of truth and a spirit of error (v.1a, 5). Next, John gives an example and points out a particular error, those who do "not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh..." (v. 2-3, 5). Lastly, I will conclude with the last three verses.

Let's consider them closer:

1. The Warning

"...many false prophets have gone out into the world..." It is well known that Satan attempts to pollute and pervert the gospel of Christ, and as I've mentioned before he will do what he can to distract the church and attempt to lead people astray, even the elect (Matthew 24:24), through the use of false prophets. John has now given two warnings about this thus far in this epistle, knowing full well that the problem that plagued the church, even at that time, would continue to plague the church. As he says a few verses later, "this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." Giving all of those who preach the false gospel, the title of "Antichrist," because they teach something against Christ. Even if it is a half gospel it is a false gospel altogether. So then John admonishes the church to be aware and to know the difference between a spirit of truth and a spirit of error. Discussed in the next part...

2. The Counsel

"Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God." The first thing to consider from this verse is the first part, namely, "Do no believe every spirit..." As a believer we should not be so quick as to accept any doctrine carelessly or thoughtlessly, without any discrimination.
So then we are to "test the spirits, whether they are of God." (spirits being the prophets) How do you "test the spirits" though? John Calvin answers in his commentary:

"They who answer, that the word of God is the rule by which everything that men bring forward ought to be tried, say something, but not the whole. I grant that doctrines ought to be tested by God's word; but except the Spirit of wisdom be present, to have God's word in our hands will avail little or nothing, for its meaning will not appear to us; as, for instance, gold is tried by fire or touchstone, but it can only be done by those who understand the art; for neither the touchstone nor the fire can be of any use to the unskilful. that we may then be fit judges, we must necessarily be endowed with and directed by the Spirit of discernment." (John Calvin, commentaries of 1 John, pg.230)

And so with every preacher or church this rule should be applied that the Word of God is the determinant on all matters when used with the Spirit's discernment and wisdom.

3. The Example

Next John gives an example of a distinction between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, and that is, "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not...is not of God." John gives an example of Christ coming in the flesh. Christ being where every false prophet or heretic stumbles. John uses the word "come" as in Jesus is eternal and was with the Father even before creation, "in the flesh," in that He took on flesh and becoame a real man, the same nature as us, but without sin or corruption. And of course we must understand why it is that Christ came in the flesh and who He is, because the life, sacrifice, death, and ressurection of Jesus and His office depends on that. Those who are of the false spirit get this wrong.

4. Concluding Remarks

And knowing all of this, John says, "You are of God...and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." He gives all believer a very hopeful promise, that all believers might boldly resist false prophets. He tells them that they are already conquerors over those antichrists that are in the world, because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33), and the victory has been won.

"They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them" (John 15:19, 17:14). Many today have made it quite obvious that they are preaching a false gospel because they wish to please the world, many seeker-sensitive mega-churches fit this description frighteningly well.

"We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not...By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." Most likely referring to John and the rest of the apostles preaching the Word. Though this could be to those who faithfully preach the true gospel of Christ.

And thus the two spirits are to be distinguished, the spirit of truth which leads to eternal life, and the spirit of error which leads to destruction, and so I say with all sincerity..."Test the spirits!"